Pre-Law Paralegal (June 2027 Start Date)

Kostelanetz • New York City, NY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Kostelanetz Pre-Law Paralegal Program is a two-year, immersive experience designed for aspiring legal professionals who plan to attend law school after completing the program. The program aims to provide clients with paralegal support from bright, innovative pre-law professionals while offering these future law students insight into the legal profession and law firm operations. Since its inception, the program has had over 50 participants, with many alumni attending top law schools and some returning to the firm after graduation. Kostelanetz LLP is a boutique law firm specializing in tax litigation, white-collar criminal defense, complex commercial civil litigation, tax planning, trusts and estates, securities law, and government procurement. The firm is highly ranked with offices in New York City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Hackensack. The program includes initial classroom-style training followed by supporting attorneys on substantive legal matters and administrative projects. Responsibilities include client communication, meeting notes, deadline tracking, legal research, document review, supporting bar activities and scholarships, and assisting with firm administrative tasks such as reception, client intake, facilities support, file management, website updates, continuing education course administration, mentoring program support, and marketing/hiring assistance. The program also includes in-house training sessions covering law school course overviews, legal writing techniques, and firm practice areas.

Requirements

• Excellent academic credentials
• Outstanding writing, research, and oral communication skills
• Organized and friendly individuals capable of handling multiple projects at once, meeting deadlines, and working well independently and on a team
• Bachelor's degree from a highly-competitive university
• GPA of 3.9 or above
• Excellent writing sample
• Effective presentation at interviews
• Strong interest in attending law school
• Clearly articulate an interest in the law or in law-related activities
• Highly computer-literate with exceptional word processing, document management, communication, research, and productivity skills
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Ability to remain in the program for a full two years
• Willingness to work on-site

Nice To Haves

• Experience in website and social media management
• Experience with accounting

Responsibilities

• Communicating with clients
• Taking notes at internal and external meetings
• Tracking deadlines and activities on matters
• Conducting legal research
• Reviewing documents under attorney supervision
• Supporting attorneys in connection with their bar activities and scholarships
• Assisting with law-firm related administrative tasks such as reception coverage, client intake, facilities and supplies support, file management, website updates, preparation and administration of attorney and accountant continuing education courses (CLE/CPE), administration of the firm mentoring program, support of attorneys teaching at law schools, and other assistance with marketing and hiring.

Benefits

• End-of-year bonuses (typically $2,000)
• Salary increase to a base of $77,000 after approximately one year
• Time off for law school preparation (LSAT studying and law school admissions days)
• Health benefits
• Dental benefits
• Paid overtime (first 5 hours at 100% of regular rate, hours beyond 40 at 150% of regular rate)
• Health and dental insurance at no cost to employees (UnitedHealthcare Oxford Freedom Exclusive Provider Organization Plan and UnitedHealthcare Dental Preferred Provider Organization Plan)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level